Education

B.A., College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina
M.B.A., Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

Background

As an accredited public relations practitioner (APR) with more than 30-years of experience, Marcia Purday enjoys helping clients in all aspects of communications from advertising and branding to crisis communications and media relations. Her leadership experience includes working with a variety of organizations from Fortune 50 and international companies to an accredited with distinction state chamber and nonprofits. She has proven success in communications strategy, branding, and creative problem solving. 

Research and Areas of Interest

Purday’s areas of interest are in strategy, how digitization is impacting the way society communicates, and evolving global demographics. Her passion is teaching where she integrates her real-world experience in the classroom by focusing on teamwork and strategic communications. 

Teaching

Purday is a strong advocate for preparing students for careers in advertising, public relations, and communications. She teaches a special topic course to help students secure certifications in Google advertising. She also teaches Integrated Communications Campaigns, Creative Strategy to Execution, and graduate classes. 

Recent Publications

Are you neglecting your best branding tool?, Midlands Biz. June 2019.

Stakeholder Engagement – A silver approach, Midlands Biz. October 2018.

Service

Purday served as the Southeastern District Chair and Southeast Secretary of the Public Relations Society of America. She also served in numerous leadership positions with the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America including President and Assembly Delegate. She is the founder and first chairman of the statewide PRSA Mercury Awards program.

Purday also served in several leadership roles with numerous organizations including University Medical Associates at MUSC, USC School of Journalism & Mass Communications Partnership Board, SC Broadcasters Association, and the SC Governor's School for the Arts.

While she has received many awards, including the Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner from the South Carolina Public Relations Society of America, Purday is proudest of the Two Thumbs Up award from USC for making a significant difference in the experience of a student with disabilities.  

Personal

When she is not teaching or serving as a consultant, Purday loves to travel, cook, and workout. She lives with her three children and two dogs. Her oldest son is in the CarolinaLife program at USC. Her daughter and youngest son attend Midlands Tech. Her aspiration is to paint, write a book, and maybe join the Peace Corps.